Art Quote by James Boswell
“We often observe in lawyers, who as Quicquid agunt homines is the matter of law suits, are sometimes obliged to pick up a temporary knowledge of an art or science, of which they understood nothing till their brief was delivered, and appear to be much masters of it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell, 1791
Lawyers often must quickly learn new fields for cases, pretending expertise they lack.
In simple terms: Lawyers must fake knowledge in new subjects.
Key Takeaway
Learn basics before claiming mastery.
Themes
law
learning
expertise
ethics
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- court cases
- client consultations
- legal research
Key Concepts
professionalism
knowledge acquisition
confidence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can lawyers ensure competence?
- When is it okay to admit ignorance?
A Different Perspective
Superficial knowledge can mislead clients.
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